The Demographic Transition Theory describes four stages of population change. A country with declining birth rates but still-declining death rates resulting in a 'narrowing of the gap' and slowing population growth is in which stage?

• A Stage I (Pre-transition)
• B Stage II (Early transition)
• C Stage IV (Post-transition)
• D Stage III (Late transition) ✓

Explanation

In Stage III (Late transition), death rates have already declined substantially and birth rates are now also declining; the gap between the two narrows progressively, slowing population growth. India is currently in Stage III. Stage I has high birth and death rates with negligible growth. Stage II has declining death rates but persistently high birth rates causing rapid population explosion. Stage IV has both rates low and roughly equal, approaching zero population growth — characteristic of developed European nations.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.